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Toronto Maple Leafs pull John-Michael Liles from the change room

Mike Kostka is out as Leafs look for a jolt against Pittsburgh Penguins

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer (left) is helped off the ice by John-Michael Liles during second period NHL hockey action against Philadelphia Flyers in Toronto on Monday February 11, 2013.Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

The Leafs have lost three straight, putting them a tie with New Jersey for the sixth spot in the Eastern conference playoff standings, and are looking to face off against the Penguins for the second time in the span of a week.

Previous to this, Sidney Crosby had not joined the Penguins in our hometown due to a series of head and neck injuries, but he managed to make up for his absence by shutting down the Leafs in a 5-4 shootout win during last week’s visit.

With the Leafs current slump, could this game against Sid the Kid determine the Leafs outcome for the remainder of this shortened season? Let’s hope not.

A couple familiar faces will be returning to the ice tonight including, starting goaltender Ben Scrivens and defenceman John-Michael Liles.

Unlike other players, Liles hasn’t been spending his time watching his teammates from the press box, but instead, opting to watch from the Leafs’ change room. Why? As he simply put it, “Heights. I don’t like heights.”

He added: “It’s not that I get nauseous, I just don’t like heights very much. I don’t mind flying or anything like that,” reports the Globe and Mail.

“I’ve been a healthy scratch before,” Liles told the National Post. “It’s something you learn from and you reflect, watch film and see what you can do differently and better. That’s part of being a professional.”

Reports say that Liles will be returning to the ice to replace Mike Kostka — but his partner remains unknown. “I’m just trying to work hard every day and make sure I’m ready,” Liles told the National Post. “It feels good to be given that opportunity again.”